Home Remedies for Eczema

Eczema is not a specific ailment but a skin condition resulting from numerous skin problems, such as irritant dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, fungal infections, etc. This condition causes discoloration and inflammation of the skin, and in few cases, the affected person develops even crusts or blisters on the skin. It also causes severe itching sensation on the skin.

In the light of the discomfort it causes, it would not be surprising if you get worried as to how to tackle this ailment. Do not worry as here we have brought a collection of effective home remedies for eczema.

But before that, let’s know in detail the causes and symptoms of eczema, and the various types of this disease.

Causes of Eczema

It would be relevant to try and answer the all-important question ‘what causes eczema?’ Notwithstanding the fact that the precise causes of eczema have not been pinpointed, yet some factors triggering the condition are identified. The following are some of those:

Heredity: It is recognized as a primary cause of eczema as a person can genetically be more vulnerable to the condition.

Irritants: Some substances found in shampoos, soaps, juices, and detergents, etc., are known to trigger eczema.

Allergens: These are inclusive of pollens, dust mites, and dandruff, to cite a few.

Microorganisms: Specific viruses and some types of bacteria can also cause eczema.

Foods: Certain foods like soy, dairy items and eggs, to name a few, can worsen eczema symptoms.

Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormones in women during pregnancy and in few other phases, like menstruation can trigger the condition too.

Here, you might worriedly question “is eczema contagious?” You need not get concerned about that as the answer to that question is an emphatic ‘No’ – eczema is not transmitted from one individual to another.

Symptoms of Eczema

The ensuing are some of the most common eczema symptoms:

The appearance of rashes on the face, neck, knees, elbows, etc.

Extreme dryness of the skin due to the rashes.

Severe itching sensation.

The manifestation of other skin infections.

When eczema in infants is considered, rashes develop on cheeks and scalps. Sometimes even fluids ooze out from the rashes.

Rashes become thicker in cases of eczema in children.

Types of Eczema

There are various types of eczema, but all of them display almost the same symptoms. Let’s have a brief understanding of the types of eczema.

Atopic Dermatitis: This form of eczema is the most prevalent one. In many instances, it afflicts the person with asthma, hay fever and a defective skin barrier providing an easy entry to microbes. Atopic eczema can affect people of all age groups.

Contact Dermatitis: This type of eczema is again sub-divided into two more categories: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis: A person can develop this condition when he/she gets exposed to either a powerful irritant once or a milder irritant many times.

Dyshidrotic Dermatitis: This condition impacts the feet and hands and it could cause severe pain. The appearance of blisters and patches is a characteristic of this type of eczema too. In some cases of dyshidrotic eczema, the affected person can also develop cracks on fingers and hands.

Nummular Dermatitis: Men, especially those who are in the age group 0f 50-60, are more vulnerable to this kind of eczema than women. Persons affected by nummular eczema develop reddish marks on the skin, which are in the shape of a coin.

Neurodermatitis: This form of eczema develops at those sites of the skin where a person scratches only habitually and not in response to any itching sensation. Some people do have this particular tendency. Neurodermatitis can develop on the scalp, back, ankles, wrists, etc.

Seborrheic Dermatitis: Both adults and children can develop this condition, which is commonly called as dandruff. Generally, this eczema is seen on eyebrows, middle of the chest and groin, to cite a few. In infants, it mostly affects the scalp.

Stasis Dermatitis: The primary cause of stasis dermatitis is the improper functioning of blood vessels in the lower part of the feet. This type of eczema can manifest all of a sudden and lead to brownish patches on the skin.

14 Healing Home Remedies for Eczema

No doubt, there are several medications available in the market to combat eczema. But, the vital aspect here is that a major chunk of these medicines is steroids, which come with adverse side effects. Therefore, it is always better to go with natural remedies to get rid of various ailments.

There is no dearth of home remedies for eczema and we will now focus on some of those.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar for Eczema

Apple cider vinegar is fortified with properties to fight against microbes, and can hence be classed as a good home remedy for eczema treatment.

Method 1: Apple Cider Vinegar and Raw Honey for Eczema

On the other hand, raw honey with its healing properties treats the rashes and blisters of eczema well. Apart from that it also offers a soothing effect to the infected skin.

Things you need:

Apple cider vinegar- 2 tsp

Raw honey- 2 tsp

Water- 1 glass

Things you need to do:

Take 1 glass of water.

Add 2 tsp each of apple cider vinegar and raw honey to it and stir well with the help of a spoon.

Consume the solution thrice every day.

This remedy treats inflammation of the skin as well as the scars of eczema thus is considered as a highly reliable natural treatment for eczema.

Method 2: Apple Cider Vinegar and Water

Things you need:

Apple cider vinegar- 3 tbsp

Water- 1 glass

Things you need to do:

Take 1 glass of water and add 3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to it, and stir well.

Apply the solution directly on eczema affected area.

This home remedy for eczema significantly minimizes both dryness of the skin and the severe itching sensation on the skin.

2. Ground Horsetail Plant Herbs

This eczema home remedy provides marked relief from the symptoms of the condition. Loaded with anti-inflammatory properties, the use of this ancient herb offers relief from the pain and the itching sensation of eczema.

Things you need:

Ground horsetail plant herbs- 50 grams

Water- 1 liter

Things you need to do:

Mix 50 grams of ground horsetail plant herbs in 1-liter water.

Boil this solution for about 10 minutes.

Allow the solution to cool down a little.

Filter the solution into the water you are about to use for bathing.

Soak in this water for around 10 minutes.

Following this home remedy for eczema will help you to get rid of the condition soon.

3. Organic Carrots

The person, who is suffering from Vitamin A deficiency, is more prone to Eczema. In such a case, organic carrot, which is loaded with Vitamin A, helps treat eczema effectively.

Things you need:

Organic carrots- 3

Cool water- 2 glasses

Things you need to do:

Peel the carrots and boil them until they become soft.

Crush the carrots to make a paste.

Apply the paste on the eczema infected area and leave it for 15 minutes.

Wash the regions where you applied the paste using cool water.

This home remedy for eczema will relieve your discomfort related to the condition, provided you follow it regularly.

4. Shea Butter and Oil Based Eczema Home Treatment

This particular home remedy is very effective in bringing about a substantial drop in severity of both pain and itching sensation of eczema.

Things you need:

Shea butter- 2 tbsp

Beeswax- 2 tbsp

Coconut oil- 6 tbsp

Jojoba oil- 4 tbsp

A double boiler

A glass jar

Things you need to do:

Melt the jojoba oil and beeswax with a double boiler.

Add the coconut oil to the mixture and mix it until it melts further.

Include shea butter to this mixture after you bring down the level of heat.

Stir the combination to melt it again.

Pour the mixture into an airtight glass jar and wait for the temperature of the combination to come down totally.

Apply the mixture to eczema affected area.

Follow the remedy regularly to get rid of eczema and its symptoms.

5. Oatmeal Bath

An oatmeal bath is one of the most popular natural remedies for eczema, which is being followed since a long time. In fact, this bath reduces the skin inflammation due to eczema. Apart from that it also works great as a moisturizer.

Things you need:

Oatmeal- 1 cup

Muslin/cheesecloth- 1

Water – a bathtub

Things you need to do:

Put the oatmeal into the muslin/cheesecloth.

Properly tie the cloth to make it into a tiny bundle.

Suspend the bundle from the tap by a piece of cheesecloth/muslin.

Open the tap to fill the bathtub.

The oatmeal bundle will give a milky color to the water.

Get into the tub and remain in the water for 15 minutes.

Dry yourself by using a soft towel.

Follow this effective home remedy for eczema on a regular basis to experience relief from the condition.

6. How to Treat Eczema with Indian Lilac

The use of Indian lilac treats eczema by eliminating the inflammation and redness related to the condition. Also, its antibacterial property kills the bacteria that aggravate the skin rashes and itching sensation of eczema.

Things you need:

Crushed Indian lilac leaves- 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder – 1 tbsp

Sesame oil- 1 tsp

Things you need to do:

Combine 1 tbsp of Indian lilac leaves and 1 tbsp of turmeric powder.

Add 1 tsp of sesame oil to the combination.

Apply the mixture to the affected region and wait for 1/2 hour.

Now, wash the eczema-infected area where the mixture was applied.

Follow this remedy once in a day and get rid of eczema on face, neck, legs, etc.

7. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a powerful cure that eliminates the perished cells of the skin and that too while keeping the person free from itching sensation of eczema.

Things you need:

Baking soda- 2 tbsp

Water- 1 tbsp

Things you need to do:

Mix 2 tbsp of baking soda and 1 tbsp of water to form a paste.

Apply the paste, which is now an anti-eczema cream, at the affected site.

Wait for 15 minutes and then wash off the paste using lukewarm water.

Follow this remedy once in a day to treat eczema.

8. Honey

Honey is a very potent ingredient in combating the bacteria that causes eczema. Apart from that its application also offers a soothing effect to the skin. It also reduces the inflammation and redness of the skin due to eczema.

Things you need:

Raw, organic honey- 1 tbsp

Bandage- 1

Things you need to do:

Thoroughly wash your hands and then dry them with a towel.

Apply 1 tbsp of honey on the eczema infected skin.

Then, cover the area by a bandage.

Wait for 30 minutes and remove the bandage.

Wash the area using cool water.

Repeat the treatment thrice a day and very soon you will notice that the intensity of eczema has drastically come down.

You can follow this remedy for eczema on lips.

9. Cornstarch and Olive Oil for Eczema

This is among the tried and tested home remedies for eczema, and many people vouch for its efficacy. Cornstarch plays the role of a skin moisturizer, and it is this very moisturizing effect that the skin lacks when affected by eczema.

Things you need:

Cornstarch- 3 tbsp

Olive oil- 3 tbsp

Things you need to do:

Mix cornstarch and the olive oil to form a paste.

Ensure that the combination is neither too diluted nor too thick.

Apply this paste on the Eczema affected regions of the body.

Leave it undisturbed for 20 minutes, and then wash the area by using lukewarm water.

Now, dry the regions with a soft and tidy towel.

With this remedy, you will experience relief from all these conditions: eczema on hands and feet, facial eczema, eczema on the neck, eczema on eyelids, scalp eczema etc.

10. Green Clay

If you cannot control yourself to scratch your skin, then you will just aggravate the eczema symptoms. But, you need not worry about it anymore as this natural eczema treatment based on green clay both alleviates pain as well as tackles the itching sensation.

Things you need:

Green clay- ½ cup

Water- 1 glass

Things you need to do:

Take 1 glass of water and add ½ cup of green clay to it.

Stir it well to make a smooth paste.

Apply the paste on the affected areas.

Now, wait till the paste dries up totally.

Thoroughly wash the area using cool water.

Dry the affected area with the help of a tidy and soft cloth.

Following this method regularly will help to get rid of acne effectively.

11. Argan and Peppermint Oil for Eczema

A remedy based on argan oil, which is derived from the argan tree nuts, denotes as being among the most potent eczema natural treatments. Argan oil contains ingredients that prevent dryness by keeping the skin moisturized.

Things you need:

Argan oil- 1 tsp

Peppermint oil- ½ tsp

Things you need to do:

Take 1 tsp of argan oil and ½ tsp of peppermint oil.

Mix both the oils properly and apply it on the affected areas.

Follow the process regularly and you will soon experience relief from symptoms of eczema.

We advise you to bear the possible burning sensation while applying the mixture as it is considered as one of the best home remedies for eczema.

12. Tea Tree Oil for Eczema Treatment

Several people depend on tea tree oil to treat eczema as it is loaded with antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. If you are seeking a natural treatment that alleviates the symptoms of the condition, then you can count upon tea tree oil.

Method 1: Tea Tree Oil in Bath Water

Things you need:

Tea tree oil- 1 tbsp

Water – a bathtub

Things you need to do:

Put 1 tbsp of tea tree oil to the water in the bathtub.

Make sure that the oil gets properly mixed in water.

Soak in this water for 20 minutes.

Repeat the process thrice daily and you will soon notice that the itching sensation and the pain related to eczema have reduced considerably.

Method 2: Tea Tree and Olive Oil for Eczema

Things you need:

Tea tree oil- 1 tbsp

Olive oil- 1 tsp

Water – a bathtub

Things you need to do:

Take 1 tbsp of tea tree oil and 1 tsp of olive oil.

Add both the oils to the water in the bathtub.

Stir the water with your hand to mix the oils with the water properly.

Soak in this water for around 10 minutes.

Follow the process for 3 times in a day until you experience relief from eczema.

Method 3: Tea Tree Oil with Moisturizer

Things you need:

Tea tree oil- 1 tsp

Any moisturizer

Things you need to do:

Take 1 tsp of tea tree oil and add a little amount of your moisturizer to it.

Mix both the ingredients well to form a smooth mixture.

Apply it on eczema affected areas.

Follow the process at least four times in a day to reduce the rashes, blisters as well the redness of the skin.

13. Coconut Oil for Eczema

Coconut oil is a very powerful antioxidant that combats microorganisms as well as minimizes inflammation. Containing various properties like Vitamin E, K, and lauric and capric acid, this oil helps to reduce the itching sensation associated with eczema. It stops the infection from spreading to other areas of the body.

Method 1: Coconut Oil Consumption

Things you need:

Coconut oil- 4 tbsp

Things you need to do:

Directly consume 4 tbsp of coconut oil as a part of your staple diet.

You can use coconut oil in cooking if you do not prefer the direct intake of the coconut oil.

Method 2: External Use

Things you need:

Coconut oil- 4 tbsp

Things you need to do:

Take 4 tbsp of coconut oil and directly apply it on eczema affected areas of your body.

Follow this remedy at least thrice every day until you experience relief from eczema symptoms.

Method 3: Coconut and Vitamin E Oil

Things you need:

Coconut oil- 5 tbsp

Vitamin E oil- 2 tsp

Rosemary oil- 2 tbsp

A bowl

Things you need to do:

Take 5 tbsp of coconut oil in a bowl.

Add 2 tsp Vitamin E oil and 2 tbsp rosemary oil to it.

Mix all the ingredients properly.

Now, apply the mixture on the affected areas of your body.

Wait for 5 minutes, and then wash off the mixture with normal water.

Follow this natural eczema treatment regularly to get rid of eczema.

14. Emu Oil for Eczema

Emu oil, apart from being highly potent in tackling inflammation, is also devoid of any toxins. The oil is a panacea for all the types of eczema and its efficacy in treating the condition is very much proven.

Method 1: External Application of Emu Oil

Take 2 tbsp of emu oil and apply it on eczema affected skin of the body.

Do this twice daily and it won’t be too long before you become free from eczema.

Method 2: Direct Intake of Emu Oil

Things you need:

Emu oil- 2 tsp

Things you need to do:

Directly consume minimum 2 tsp of emu oil, on a daily basis.

If the eczema is too severe, you can take few more teaspoons of the oil in a day.

Method 3: Emu Oil Bath

Things you need:

Emu oil- 2 tbsp

Water – a bathtub

Things you need to do:

Add 2 tbsp of emu oil to water in the bathtub.

Soak in this bath water for about 15 minutes.

Dry yourself with a soft and clean cloth.

Follow this remedy every day once to get rid of allergic eczema.

Additional Tips

Apart from the home remedies for eczema that have been discussed above, there are several other tips that will help you in battling eczema.

Include foods that are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, which will help in alleviating both allergies and inflammation of eczema.

Identify and keep away from the specific allergens that trigger the manifestation of eczema. These allergens do vary from person to person.

Do not forget to use a moisturizer soon after having your bath.

Do not use water-based lotions on eczema affected skin.

Do not have a bath daily while suffering from eczema, as it may aggravate eczema symptoms.

While suffering from eczema, avoid the usage of shampoos and soaps that cause irritation.

Opt for an air humidifier at home as dryness in the air aggravates the symptoms of eczema.

Do not scratch the rashes and blisters as it will aggravate the symptoms of eczema. Keep your stress levels under control. Constant stress worsens the conditions associated with several ailments, with eczema being no exception.

Stick to a wholesome diet, which is very necessary for reducing the risk of developing eczema.

There are various over the counter eczema creams available in the market, which may give you instant relief from the pain and itching sensation of eczema. But at the same time, we cannot rule out the side effects associated with these creams.

And here we cannot ignore the role of home remedies for eczema, which are effective and also cause no side effects. So we can use these home remedies to treat eczema without any worry.

Use the home remedies for eczema and do not forget to share your experiences with us.

Hey all, I am Suzanne, I love collecting new information on natural cure for health ailments. I always feel that nature has remedies for all our health problems, we just have to use it in the right way. I am DIY pursuer and thus keep trying natural things to get rid of nasty diseases. You will be amazed to know about the treasure mother earth has and how it can help us improve our health. Join me in a journey which take you closer to nature and keep you healthy.